Specifically, the Draper Republican’s gibe rattled cages in liberal arts colleges and in departments like English, history and the arts, where the joke has long been that graduates need to prepare certain phrases such as, “Do you want fries with that?” to go along with their Chaucer and appreciation for Renaissance painters.

But when Stephenson threw down his gauntlet and dissed the value of what has long been the core of any educated person — humanities, arts and social sciences — the faculty and students of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHaSS) at Utah State University pushed back.

Biology major Megan Paxton scoffed when she heard the “nowhere” remark. “I disagree. Very strongly,” she said. “The humanities are part of every sophisticated society. The arts keep us from turning into technical barbarians. They promote expression and higher thinking.”

The college, whose professors teach 60 percent or more of the general education classes required of all Aggie students — from aerospace studies majors to business majors, from mathematicians to zoologists — has no apologies for its support of the liberal arts. In fact, CHaSS has just launched an alumni magazine to trumpet the value of its curriculum and the successes of its graduates and their “degrees to everywhere.”

Dean John Allen, a rural sociologist, says a broad liberal arts education teaches critical thinking and communication skills; global perspectives; problem-solving and flexibility; and prepares students not just for that first job, but for life. National surveys of business executives consistently list “nowhere” skills and perspectives at the top of their lists of new employee attributes, he says.

“They want people with skills in critical thinking, quantitative analysis and complex problem solving. That’s what we do in a liberal education,” Allen said. “We bring that extra ability to integrate knowledge across fields and understand macro issues. We bring in the ethical decision-making process.” More…

Edward C. Pease is professor of journalism and head of the Department of Journalism & Communication at Utah State University. D. Whitney Smith is a junior journalism major.

StepUP to Higher Education looks to overcome barriers sometimes associated with higher education by encouraging students to dream big about their futures and provides the tools for
students to act on those dreams. The campaign also urges parents, educators, mentors and community leaders to encourage and inspire the dreams of Utah’s future college students.

The campaign centers on a comprehensive website, stepuputah.com, which informs groups under 12, 12- to 18-years-old and adults (parents, educators, etc.) that “college” can include anything from a one-year certificate to a four-year degree. To align with the Utah System of Higher Education’s goal of having 66% of Utah’s workforce with postsecondary degrees by 2020, it is essential to reach out to student populations who may have never considered higher education.

More after the jump…

“In order for us to achieve our ‘big goal,’ we need to speak out to students, parents and adults
and let them know that they can overcome any roadblocks throughout their lives which would
lead to not attending, and finishing, college,” Commissioner of Higher Education Bill
Sederburg said. “We look forward to this campaign and see it as a new way to reach Utah
students, and their parents, who may have never before heard this message.”
Additional components of StepUP to Higher Education include social media, television and
radio advertising, and other grassroots initiatives.

“A key component of this campaign will be taking the message that college is possible directly
to the students,” said Melissa Miller Kincart, Assistant Commissioner for Access and
Outreach. “We will be in Utah communities, reaching out to students of all ages where they
live and play, to help them understand that higher education is critical to their future success.”
Funding for this initiative is made possible through the College Access Challenge Grant, a
federal grant from the United States Department of Education. For more information or to see
and hear radio and television spots for the “StepUP” campaign, visit stepuputah.com,
facebook.com/stepuputah or on Twitter at @StepUpUtah.

UHEAA fall tour gives free information, assistance to students everywhere in the state

SALT LAKE CITY – Even though Halloween is right around the corner, there are some folks who seem more afraid of paying for college during this time of year. Fear not! Experts from the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA) are ready to rescue by sponsoring Financial Aid Nights in a statewide tour providing students and their families all the information they need about college financial aid, scholarships, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and important college prep deadlines. These Financial Aid Nights kicked off on August 30 at San Juan High School and will continue in all areas of Utah throughout the fall until mid-November.

“It’s never too soon to start thinking about going to, and finishing, college and our financial aid representatives are ready to ease concerns and answer questions for students and their parents,” said UHEAA Executive Director David Feitz. “This statewide tour is provided for Utahns all the way from Cache to Washington Counties, and everywhere in between, so they are armed with the right tools to successfully prepare and pay for college.” In addition to opportunities to talk about financial aid, representatives from the state’s colleges and universities will also be on hand for information and one-on-one discussions.

For complete information about UHEAA’s Financial Aid Night Utah Tour including dates and locations, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/uheaa and click on “Events” or visit higheredutah.org.

About the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority: For over 30 years UHEAA, an agency with the Utah System of Higher Education, has assisted Utah’s students and their families to save, plan, prepare, and pay for college. We are committed to providing Utah’s residents with the best access to resources and services helping them find opportunities for education and training after high school. Visit uheaa.org or follow on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about resources and services.

About The Utah System of Higher Education: USHE includes all of Utah’s eight public colleges and universities: The University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Dixie State College, Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College. For more information on the Utah System of Higher Education, visit our website at higheredutah.org.

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Utah students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit a bookmark design before the end of September to be eligible for one of the eight $1,000 certificates to be deposited in a 529 college savings account.

“We were so impressed by the thousands of entries we received last year during our first ‘Make Your Mark’ contest,” said a news release quoting UESP executive director Lynne Ward. “By expanding the contest, we hope to encourage even more participation and raise awareness about the importance of saving for college.”

The winning bookmarks, which will be announced Oct. 26, will be featured in UESP and Zions Bank marketing materials.

The judging panel includes Gov. Gary Herbert; Weber State President Ann Millner; retired football coach LaVell Edwards; and Deborah Bayle, president and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake. Go to www.uesp.org to find the bookmark template and contest rules.

Since the state launched UESP in 1996 to manage college savings accounts, it has become one of the highest-rated 529 plans in the nation. Now the plan’s first account holder, Duane Hill, is reaping the rewards of his investment. Hill’s oldest granddaughter, Marley Rose Hill-Filben, is attending the University of Utah.

“What my grandparents have done for me makes it a lot easier to pay for college and not worry about getting so many loans,” Hill-Filben said in the news release. She plans to study environmental studies. “It takes a weight off my shoulders. I’m grateful that they have done this.” More…

For every member of a household that earns a postsecondary degree or certificate, the likelihood increases that siblings and children will do so, as well.

The Prosperity 2020 movement aims to have two-thirds of all Utah adults holding a college degree or certificate by the end of the decade. A well-educated workforce will propel Utah’s economy and create enduring prosperity.

A child raised in a family in which neither parent has a degree or certificate has less than a 30 percent chance of obtaining a higher level of education than his parents. Compare that to a child raised in a home in which one parent has a degree or certificate and that rate jumps to over 40 percent.

The positive impact of educational achievement within the family is not limited to a parent-child relationship. Siblings who obtain postsecondary education play a significant role in elevating achievement levels among their siblings, as well.  In fact, the survey shows children raised in a home in which neither parent has a degree or certificate but a sibling does, have better than a 55 percent chance of earning a degree or certificate themselves.

The rates continue to improve as you combine parental and sibling achievement. Raised in a household with one parent and one sibling holding a postsecondary degree or certificate, a child has nearly a 65 percent chance of completing a degree or certificate.

The highest probability that a child will earn a degree or certificate is found when both parents and a sibling have done so. A child raised in this environment will have over a 75 percent chance of earning a postsecondary degree or certificate.

The benefits of higher education correspond with higher income levels. The more education you have, the more money you can earn. It also appears success follows success. An individual who earns a degree or certificate begins or continues the ripple effect that will likely impact their family for generations.

So the goal is to increase the number of Utah adults who hold a postsecondary degree or certificate.

Interestingly, the survey also looked into reasons for not completing a post-secondary degree or certificate. By a wide margin, marriage and children were the top reason, followed by expense and balancing work with school.

Only one percent said they didn’t earn a degree or certificate because their spouse or partner had one and only two percent said they could earn more money without a degree or certificate.

Achieving the Prosperity 2020 goal of two-thirds of Utah adults with a degree or certificate is within our reach. Helping those who left college just a few credits short of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree—especially among those who cited marriage and children as a reason to leave school or other training programs—could yield significant results. Not everyone is starting from scratch. More…

This story also appeared in UtahPulse.com here.

Prosperity 2020 is a statewide movement of major business associations to improve public and higher education in Utah.  United in their belief that education is the path to enduring prosperity, Utah business leaders have come together in a multi-year effort with initial goals to ensure 90 percent of elementary school students are proficient in reading and math and that two-thirds of all Utahns hold a postsecondary degree or certificate.

Early Start to Success
The Founders’ Council overwhelmingly supports the Early Start to Success program, which provides targeted pre-school programs for children most at risk—those living in poverty, refugee children and others who don’t speak English—and an all-day, voluntary kindergarten program.

“The research evidence is very clear that an early start for pre-school children and kindergarten children has a significant impact on their achievement in school at all levels,” said former commissioner of higher education Dr. Richard Kendell, who also serves as a professor of education leadership and policy at the University of Utah College of Education and an advisor to Prosperity 2020.  “Kids who receive these services tend to perform better in school whether your looking at standardized exams or their high school graduation rate.”

College and Career Ready
To ensure the public education system is preparing students for college level work, as well as the work force, an enhanced focus on reading and math fundamentals during elementary school is proven to be highly beneficial. The Founders’ Council strongly supports the Common Core State Standards.

The Common Core State Standards is a voluntary effort to establish a shared set of clear educational standards for English language arts and mathematics. The federal government does not lead this effort; it is guided by the participating states. The development of the standards was coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The Standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators and experts to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare students for college and the workforce.

The Common Core was developed using research results and the highest state standards across the country.

“We’re developing, with other states, common leanings for all students in the areas of reading and mathematics clear performance standards,” said Dr. Kendell. “This allows us to measure our student performance both within the state and against other participating states.”

STEM Acceleration K-16
The Founders’ Council recognizes that, in the decades to come, the prosperity of our state and national economies will depend a great deal on the performance of our students in science and technology.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative is intended to identify early the students who show an interest and aptitude for math and science and to provide supportive programs throughout their education.

“These students will be the future scientists, engineers and technicians that create new products, start new companies and bolster our economy long term,” said Dr. Kendell. “Job creation is the hot topic right now but long-term we need to have the workforce to fill these jobs, and create now products and businesses.”

Prosperity 2020 leaders will continue their discussions regarding investment and innovation in both public and higher education. This fall, they will advance a formal legislative proposal to drive Utah toward the 2020 goals.

For more from Prosperity 2020, click here.

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